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The Last Jump
- A Novel of World War II
- Narrated by: Mike Ortego
- Length: 23 hrs and 25 mins
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The Last Jump
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Summary
The Last Jump is a war story, a mystery, a love tale, and a tribute to the people who won World War II. Fact and fiction intermix seamlessly to unravel a secret passionately guarded by four aging soldiers. The reader is transported back in time to an imperfect America, with all is incredible virtues and vexing shortcomings struggling with racial and gender issues while fighting for its very survival. It was time when Americans stood shoulder to shoulder to free the world from tyranny. It celebrates the spirit and courage of ordinary citizens pitted against the militaristic regimes of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. It was a time when the sons of presidents and senators served, fought, suffered and died alongside average Americans and famous celebrities.
J.P. Kilroy, a middle-aged divorced journalist, regrets ignoring his mother's deathbed request. Even her last letter, which told of the existence of a mysterious family secret, did not motivate him to reconcile with the father who left them 30 years ago. When he receives an invitation from the White House to attend a Medal of Honor awards ceremony for African-Americans, he also discovers his estranged father recently passed away. Was the secret now lost forever?
Kilroy also discovers that four aging veterans, the only links to the past, not only know the secret but swore an oath never to reveal it. They are the free-spirited Sky Johnson, a rough and tumble paratrooper, Frank West, the studious company commander, Harley Tidrick, Omaha Beach veteran and cousin of his father's best wartime buddy, and Lincoln Abraham, the only living black honoree at the ceremony.
With the aid of Cynthia Powers, an alluring Army press liaison, Kilroy accepts the challenge to cajole the veterans into revealing the mystery. Their conversations take him back in time to a country in grave danger but a country as united as never before or since. But the old warriors stubbornly resist until the last one passes on and Kilroy's hopes are dashed. But one reaches from beyond the grave to identify the only other person who has the answer and Kilroy races death to reach her. And a shocking conclusion awaits him, if only he can get there in time!
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What listeners say about The Last Jump
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Rubyrose
- 06-11-19
Hard to describe
I won't forget this book and I feel really touched by it. I didn't know much about America in WW2 so that was one thing gained. It is the first novel I've listened to or read that has really given me a feel for what the battles were like. There was nothing overdramatised. The writing just got it. I have so many vivid cameo images that will stay with me. I found myself looking at images on my tablet especially about the winter fight in the Ardennes. They were such young men or boys. I saw the images of the snow and mist and how cold they looked. Returning to my listen I heard about this in the story.
This is a very broad encompassing novel about home, men and women, how black men were treated, bravery, loyalty and love. It is amazing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linda
- 22-02-15
Brilliant war story
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes I would recommend this book to anyone. The book has everything an amazing plot, accurate history, social changes and full of emotion.
What did you like best about this story?
The today versus yesterday dialogue. I was never lost in the actual plot enough to be annoyed at coming back to the later story line they linked so perfectly.
What does Mike Ortego bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The emphasis on the meanings of the quoted lines. I am sure I would not have been as immersed in some of these characters if Mike had not given me the steer with hi marvelous intonation.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The end......cried like a school girl couldn't help it!
Any additional comments?
The American social and Second World War history is really special it makes you think that a properly researched novel might be the way to get all school kids interested in history.
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